The Macalister Demonstration Farm, formerly the Macalister Research Farm, is a farmer-owned co-operative established on April 13th 1960. A collaboration between dairy farmers of the MID and the Department of Agriculture at Maffra resulted in the acquisition of a commercial dairy farm to demonstrate and trial innovative practices to improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of farms in the MID. This group of forward thinking individuals recognised the need to use science and the power of demonstration to stimulate farmers. The Mission of the MDF is–
“To enable shareholders to improve the profitability of their farms and their lifestyles, through the demonstration of superior and sustainable management systems, and the provision of education programmes necessary for their adoption.”
The MDF is recognized throughout the dairy industry as a credible and reliable organization with a strong history of delivering projects that are relevant to local farmers, at the same time as meeting the expectations of project partners and stakeholders.
In 2010 the Macalister Demonstration Farm was awarded the inaugural Fonterra Dairy Leadership Award for industry leadership over fifty years at the Regional Achievement and Community Awards.
In 2011 the Macalister Demonstration Farm was a finalist in both the Banksia Environmental Awards and the NAB Agribusiness Awards.
In 2019, the MDF won the Fed Uni “Excellence in Research and Development” category at the Gippsland Food and Fibre Excellence in Agribusiness awards.
Throughout the MDF’s history, we have always been committed to supporting and strengthening the dairy industry through trials and research.
